Gaming device and method featuring a randomly activated secondary game

ABSTRACT

A gaming device and method having a primary game and a secondary game. Activation of the secondary game is random, without connection to any outcome of the primary game.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120, this application is a continuation of andclaims priority to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/078,606 filedon Mar. 10, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following invention is generally related to instrumentalities andmethodologies in gaming devices. More specifically, the instantinvention is directed to a method and apparatus for providing asecondary game that is activated independently of a primary game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Thousands of different slot machine style games have been developed overthe years. Many feature a “bonus” round that a player may access if aparticular symbol or combination of symbols appears in a primary game.Players are generally intrigued by such games, but lose, interestrapidly if the bonus game does not appear in a timely manner or if thebonus payout is not as large as the player expected it to be. This isoften the case, because most bonus games are minor to finance the largerbonus wins. In addition, play of the primary game is “overshadowed” bythe player's desire to achieve specific symbol combinations and enterthe bonus game.

From a designer standpoint, creation of a satisfying win distributionfor a game is difficult, requiring the tying of all potential bonus winamounts to the primary game win amounts, and then relating them throughthe bonus hit frequency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is distinguishable over the prior art in that theappearance of a secondary game is not dependent on the outcome of aprimary game.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea new and novel device and method for generating interest in play of agaming device.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device andmethod as characterized above in which appearance of a bonus gamingevent is not related to the result obtained in a primary gaming event.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device andmethod as characterized above which provides a player with theopportunity to play a bonus game independent of success in a primarygame.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device andmethod as characterized above having a win distribution that is simpleto understand and to implement.

Viewed from a first vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a gaming device, comprising, in combination: adisplay; wagering means; a processor operatively intercoupled betweenthe wagering means and the display to activate the display upon receiptof a wager by the wagering means; a primary game having a plurality ofoutputs, at least one of which is recognized by a paytable; and asecondary game triggered by a random value, the random value independentof the primary game.

Viewed from a second vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a gaming device, comprising, in combination: adisplay; wagering means; a processor operatively intercoupled betweenthe wagering means and the display to activate the display upon receiptof a wager by the wagering means; a primary game having a plurality ofoutputs, at least one of which is recognized by a paytable; reset meansoperatively coupled to the processor to reset the gaming device afterplay of the primary game; and a secondary game activated by random meansoperatively coupled to the reset means.

Viewed from a third vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a method of gaming, the steps including: acceptinga wager; receiving a plurality of bonus trigger values; activating adisplay; displaying a primary game; awarding credits for winningoutcomes in the primary game; generating a random value, the randomvalue not related to the primary game; comparing the random value to theplurality of bonus trigger values; displaying a secondary game if therandom value is included in the plurality of bonus trigger values; andawarding credits for winning outcomes in the secondary game.

Viewed from a fourth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a gaming device, comprising, in combination: adisplay; wagering means; a processor operatively intercoupled betweenthe wagering means and the display to activate the display upon receiptof a wager by the wagering means; a primary game having a plurality ofoutputs, at least one of which is recognized by a paytable; and asecondary game triggered by random means, the random means operativelycoupled to the processor but independent of the primary game.

Viewed from a fifth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a gaming device, comprising, in combination: adisplay; wagering means; a processor operatively intercoupled betweenthe wagering means and the display to activate the display upon receiptof a wager by the wagering means; a primary game; a secondary game; anda random trigger operatively coupled to the processor to activate thesecondary game, the random trigger independent of the primary game.

Viewed from a sixth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a gaming device, comprising, in combination: adisplay; wagering means; a processor operatively intercoupled betweenthe wagering means and the display to activate the display upon receiptof a wager by the wagering means; a primary game having a plurality ofoutputs, at least one of which is recognized by a paytable; and asecondary game triggered by random means, the random means operativelycoupled to the wagering means and independent of the primary game.

These and other objects will be made manifest when considering thefollowing detailed specification when taken in conjunction with theappended drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the methodology according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of the apparatus associated therewith.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Considering the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote likeparts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 asshown in FIG. 2 is directed to the device according to the presentinvention.

In its essence, the device 10 includes a housing 16 which supports avisual display 2, preferably a video monitor, therewithin. The display 2may include a window 8 for special messages or for incrementing countingof credits accumulated by the player. The device also includes an LED orother readout 4 for prompting the player and can provide similarverbiage as the window 8 or in lieu thereof, to stimulate the player.The device includes an inlet 6 for the reception therein for coins,currency or the like to auger in the inception of play. A plurality ofdecision-making buttons 12 are located on the face of the apparatus 10,preferable below the display 2, and a pull handle 14 can be used toinitiate play as an alternative to supplement the decision-makingbuttons 12. A coin hopper 18 or other payment methods, i.e., ticketprinters, may be included to effectuate an output of an award due theplayer. The device 10 may have a top portion 32 with a display thereonhaving a motif correlative with the game to be played and can include apaytable. A plurality of speakers 34 may be included on the device foraural interaction with the player. The apparatus also includes aprocessor P coordinating all functions and a random number generator Goperatively coupled thereto for generating outcomes. A card 9, having aread/write instrumentality 17 thereon, can be read via input 7 as asubstitute for or supplement to credit transfers as well as playeridentification.

Referring to FIG. 1, the flow chart associated with the presentinvention can be explored. Prior to play, the device 10 is supplied witha bonus trigger value, or a range of trigger values. A bonus triggervalue may thus be defined as an outcome or set of outcomes that enable abonus game or event if that outcome or any of the range of outcomes isachieved. The device 10 is enabled when a player deposits a wager. Thefeatures of the present invention are preferentially operative upon thedeposit of a maximum wager. Assume a maximum wager is deposited. Aprimary game appears for play on the display 2. The primary game may beof any type. The primary game outcome is compared to a paytable and theplayer is awarded credits for any matching outcomes. At the conclusionof the primary game, a random value is generated by the device 10. Ifthe random value is included in the bonus trigger value, the player isoffered a secondary game to play and credits are awarded for winningoutcomes on the secondary game. The player is then offered theopportunity to play again or to cash out. If the random value does notmatch the bonus trigger value, the player is not offered a secondarygame, only the opportunity to play again or to cash out.

The bonus trigger value is controlled by the desired hit frequency ofthe bonus game. For example, if the bonus game is to appear once in 40games, then the random value could be a number between 1 and 40, wherethe bonus trigger value is a specific number between 1 and 40.

The use of an independent bonus trigger value eliminates thecomplexities of tying and relating the paytables for the primary game.

The bonus trigger value may be generated by the device 10 or supplied byan outside source, that is, the bonus trigger value may be pre-set inthe machine or generated randomly. The random value may be generated atany time before, during, or after play of the primary game. The randomvalue and/or the bonus trigger value may be displayed to the player inthe display 2, on a separate “reel” or in a separate window.

Further embodiments include, but are not limited to: the use of aprogressive for the bonus, tying the trigger for the bonus game to aparticular wager or type of wager (maximum bet or betting a particularline or set of lines), use of different displays for the primary andsecondary games, and use of the same display for the primary andsecondary games.

Moreover, having thus described the invention, it should be apparentthat numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resortedto without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instantinvention as set forth hereinabove and as described hereinbelow by theclaims.

1- A method for gaming, comprising: selecting at least one bonus triggervalue; after said selection of at least one bonus trigger value,providing a primary game to a player; awarding a credit to the playerfor a winning outcome in said primary game; generating a random valueindependent of said primary game; if said random value matches said atleast one bonus trigger value, offering the player a secondary game; andawarding a credit to the player for a winning outcome in said secondarygame. 2- The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one bonus triggervalue is a range of values. 3- The method of claim 1, wherein saidrandom value is generated before the play of said primary game is begun.4- The method of claim 1, wherein said random value is generated duringthe play of said primary game. 5- The method of claim 1, where in saidrandom value is generated after the play of said primary game isconcluded. 6- A gaming device, comprising: a housing; a video display; awagering device for accepting a player's wager; a processor incommunication with said video display and said wagering device, saidprocessor configured to generate and display a primary game outcome; arandom number generator to generate a secondary game value after saidprimary game outcome is generated and displayed; and an award device toprovide an award to the player if said secondary game value is a winningvalue. 7- A gaming device, comprising: a housing; a video display; awagering device for accepting a player's wager; a random numbergenerator to generate a random value independent of said primary game;and a processor in communication with said video display and saidwagering device, said processor configured to; select at least one bonustrigger value; after said selection of at least one bonus trigger value,provide a primary game to a player; award a credit to the player for awinning outcome in said primary game; compare said random value to saidat least one bonus trigger value; if said random value matches said atleast one bonus trigger value, to offer the player a secondary game; andaward a credit to the player for a winning outcome in said secondarygame.